Historic war machines and memorabilia were front and center on a chilly Veterans Day afternoon at the Ohio Military Museum.

A couple of dozen Veterans Day visitors got a free glimpse of a 1942 World War II ambulance, two 1942 Willys MB military jeeps — one with an attached trailer — in addition to an officer's tent and an enlisted man's tent, both filled with antique ammunition, uniforms and old photographs.

"They said there were old vehicles (here), and that sounded good to me," said Randy Safreed, a Massillon native who lives in Georgia. "My dad was in World War II, so I try to get to shows like this when I can."

Also browsing around outside the museum Monday was Massillon resident Jeff Rhodes, who brought his daughters, Cassandra, 8, and Sidney, 6.

"It's pretty cool seeing this old stuff," he said.

Jim Cassler, of Canton, is a self-described antique military "hobbyist" and owner of the ambulance and one of the jeeps on display Monday. He said he tours parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania taking the vehicles to war re-enactments and shows.

"The stuff gets around," he said.

Locals also had the opportunity Monday to tour the inside of the museum, 316 Lincoln Way E, which opened in 1983. The facility features century old U.S. flags, medals, artillery, vehicle and aircraft models and U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard uniforms all dating back to The War of 1812.

Bob Haas, chairman of the museum's board of officers, said the goal of the open house was to encourage public interest in the museum. The show could become an annual Veterans Day event, he said.